This first phase of the contest is the qualifying heat, where registered shelters compete to accumulate the most online votes from their supporters. The 50 shelters with the most votes become the official contestants for the 2012 ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge.

Voting takes place April 5-16. To cast an online vote for Bangor Humane Society, visit www.savebangorpets.org.

“The ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge is a great motivator for our team and the residents and businesses of Bangor to get involved — to help connect hundreds of the beautiful, fun, loving cats and dogs in our shelter with the right families,” Bell said.

“Working together, we will save hundreds of animals and enrich the lives of new adopting families and we’ll have a shot at the $100,000 grant,” she said.

Any winnings will be used for programs to expand off-site adoption opportunities, to grow the shelter’s foster care family and increase partnerships with community organizations, Bell said.

The community recently proved that more lives can be saved every day with the outpouring of support it showed during the agency’s recent Mega Match-a-thon event which placed more than 100 animals in adoptive homes in 12 hours.